Less than one week removed from a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Houston Astros in the World Series, Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi spoke with media at Dodger Stadium.
The press conference marked the close to the 2017 season, and served as a primer of sorts for free agency, next week’s General Managers meetings, and the upcoming Winter Meetings. While Friedman and Zaidi have plenty to accomplish prior to the 2018 season, the World Series wasn’t far from their minds.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever really get over it,” Friedman said of the Game 7 loss. “It is daunting for about 24 hours after the end of the season to think about how to get back to where you were 12 hours earlier.
“But I think it’s also what motivates us. We’re all extremely competitive, and it’s about figuring out how to get back to that point and finishing it off.”
Under Friedman and Zaidi’s direction, the Dodgers have won three consecutive National League West titles, which came on the heels of also being crowned division champions in 2013 and 2014. The Dodgers’ berth in the World Series was a first for the franchise since 1988.
“Obviously, there was a real feeling of disappointment coming that close. But I also think the more time we have to reflect on it, we feel it’s something to build on,” Zaidi said.
Andrew Friedman on #Dodgers' Game 7 loss: "I'm not sure I'll ever get over it." pic.twitter.com/z77Nro6xeB
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) November 7, 2017
“Just like last year was something to build on, having gone to the CS and played in the environment in Wrigley Field, I think that prepared us. I think it’s one of the reasons we were able to go a little further this year. I think as we look back on this year, we’ve been there, we know what it’s like, and we’ll be even more prepared next time.”
Like they’ve done in previous years, Friedman and Zaidi each voiced confidence in the club being equipped to compete for a World Series championship. Nonetheless, Zaidi reiterated the Dodgers will remain “opportunistic” in potentially improving the roster this winter.
“We’re making the usual, outgoing calls to other offices and GMs to make those connections and set up more talks for next week,” he said.
